The withe paper examines key challenges, solutions and opportunities encountered by practitioners working on the leading edge of sea level rise (SLR) adaptation efforts. Among the array of challenges and opportunities to coastal cities and towns in the United States and worldwide, it considers: funding mechanisms, multiple socio-economic and environmental goals, tidal and stormwater flooding, beach impacts, community engagement and education, organizational buy-in, standards and policy modification, stormwater management, collaboration, communication and maintaining flexibility.